FlyerTalk Forums - Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (UA and others end domestic change fees)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin (Post 32648103)

now, WN without standby is uncompetitive. WGA travelers wanting to get on an earlier flight have to pay 3 or 4x for the privilege on WN, nothing on the others.

Prediction. WN will go the basic route w/o standby, WGAs will be higher and allow standby.

Or there could be a slightly higher fare class called WGA Flex or similar which allows free standby without A-list status.

But I have a different suggestion. Copy Virgin America's novel "Plans Change" pass. For a $25 ancillary fee you got extra flexibility. The VX fee made a VX ticket act almost like a WN ticket. In this case I'm suggesting a fixed non-refundable fee to buy standby privileges. For a higher fee throw in boarding after A15.

We don't like fees but we like the lower fares they make possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin (Post 32648103)

Honestly, I hope WN does *not* add a Basic Economy tier (or a WGA+ tier that would essentially make WGA the same thing). Southwest already has great value to me because of its more frequent nonstops to where I want to go. Yes, I like the standby benefit as an A-lister, but I use it maybe once a year. It's not a big deal because I usually book the flight I want to begin with.

If they think they can add standby to a regular WGA fare, fine. (I assume they would be behind A-listers on the list.) But this one thing isn't important enough to change the structure. I like WN's simplicity and, generally-speaking, fairness. And it seems to have worked for them as well, based on generally profitable operations outside of this stupid year we're in now.